Clifton, Karachi
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Clifton is an upscale and historic seaside locality in
Karachi Karachi is the capital city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Sindh, Pakistan. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, largest city in Pakistan and 12th List of largest cities, largest in the world, with a popul ...
,
Pakistan Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the Islam by country# ...
. It is one of the most affluent parts of the city, home to some of Karachi's most expensive real estates. It is home to several foreign
consulate A consulate is the office of a consul. A type of mission, it is usually subordinate to the state's main representation in the capital of that foreign country (host state), usually an embassy (or, only between two Commonwealth countries, a ...
s, while its commercial centres are amongst the most high-end in Pakistan, with a strong presence of international brands.


History

The area around Clifton was a largely barren seashore until British rule, and was previously known to locals as "Hawa Bandar," or "Wind Port." Prior to the establishment of the area as a suburb of Karachi, Clifton's shoreline had been home to a shrine of 8th century
Abdullah Shah Ghazi Abdullah Shah Ghazi () (c. 720 - c. 773) was a Muslim mystic and Sufi whose shrine is located in Clifton in Karachi, in Sindh province of Pakistan. Life in Sindh Abdullah Shah Ghazi was born in 98 Hijri Or 109 Hijri. In 738 he came to Karac ...
- widely regarded as the city's patron saint. The shrine is immediately adjacent to the historic Sri Ratneswar Mahadev Hindu Temple. Clifton was initially developed in the late 19th century under British colonial rule, and initially served as the location for homes belonging to the city's British elite as an escape from the city. In the early 20th century,
Parsi The Parsis or Parsees () are a Zoroastrian ethnic group in the Indian subcontinent. They are descended from Persian refugees who migrated to the Indian subcontinent during and after the Arab-Islamic conquest of Iran in the 7th century, w ...
s from nearby Iran began moving to the area, and were soon followed by Muslims and Hindus. The Jehangir Kothari Parade, bestowed to the city by Parsi businessman Seth Jehangir Hormusji Kothari, was built in Clifton in 1919–20. The Mohatta Palace was built in Clifton in 1927 by a wealthy Hindu businessman, and now serves as a museum. Clifton Bridge was built in the 1930s to connect the suburb to central Karachi. By the 1950s, camel owners began offering rides to local tourists on the beach. The area remained a residential area characterized by bungalows until the 1970s, when the area began to develop as one of Karachi's prime commercial and retail centres. In 1973, Clifton's famous Three Sword monument In Block 9, Clifton was erected as part of a beautification programme launched by Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and was built in the shape of his political parties election symbol at the time. Despite a breakdown of law and order in Karachi in the 1980s and 1990s, Clifton was one of the localities in Karachi where real estate activity remained strong. The government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto planned a casino in the area near the Clifton Beach in a bid to attract foreign tourists to Pakistan in the 70s. However, the idea was abandoned soon because of political issues and the structure lay empty for many decades until it was taken over by a local amusement parks company, who opened a themed entertainment center named "Sindbad" on it. This was also closed down in the early 2000s and after another bout of vacancy, the place was finally torn down and the
Dolmen Mall Dolmen Malls is a chain of shopping centers in Pakistan owned and operated by Dolmen Group. Established in 1984, the Dolmen Group is a real estate company involved in the development and management of commercial and residential properties across P ...
was erected in its place. This mall is now one of Pakistan's premier shopping malls, housing local and many foreign brands like Debenham's. The areas also houses the former residence of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and the current residence of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari &
Asif Ali Zardari Asif Ali Zardari (born 26 July 1955) is a Pakistani politician serving as the 14th president of Pakistan since 2024, having held the same office from 2008 to 2013. He is the president of Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians and was the ...
. Bilawal House, which is now the current residence of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has been surrounded with controversy since the erection of a protective wall around the house, with many local politicians asking authorities to pull it down. In 2018, a group of extremists attacked the Chinese embassy here. The extremists were killed but unfortunately two police officers were also killed.


Economy

Clifton is emerging as another
Central Business District A central business district (CBD) is the Commerce, commercial and business center of a city. It contains commercial space and offices, and in larger cities will often be described as a financial district. Geographically, it often coincides wit ...
of Karachi along with Saddar Town the main Central Business District of Karachi. Today it headquarters the corporate office of Pakistan's largest energy company, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) as well several other large local and foreign companies such as Nestlé Pakistan Limited, Dolmen Group and Muller and Phipps among other corporate and regional offices. It also houses the headquarters of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan. Increased business activity and real estate construction boom has resulted in Clifton altering the city skyline, with the two tallest buildings in Pakistan, the Bahria Icon Tower and the Ocean Towers located in Clifton. The Karachi Eat Food Festival, which is Pakistan's biggest food festival, is held every year in Clifton. The festival started off back in 2016 and it has now become Pakistan's major culinary and restaurant event with 95+ stalls and major brand engagement. Many new restaurateurs and aspiring chefs try out their locally and internationally inspired dishes at the event. The event has been a major hit with young people with the event witnessing massive crowds on all three days of this festival. The KEF is organized in the early part of January each year. Clifton itself is recognised as a fast food BBQ destination within Karachi which attracts locals as well as tourists who enjoy
shopping Shopping is an activity in which a customer browses the available goods or services presented by one or more retailers with the potential intent to purchase a suitable selection of them. A Retail#Shopper profiles, typology of shopper types ha ...
walking on the seashore and dining in these restaurants which serve quality
Halal ''Halal'' (; ) is an Arabic word that translates to in English. Although the term ''halal'' is often associated with Islamic dietary laws, particularly meat that is slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines, it also governs ethical practices ...
foods on demand. File:Dolmen Twin Towers Karachi.jpg,
Dolmen City Dolmen City is a mixed-use complex, situated on the waterfront of Clifton, Karachi, Clifton, in Karachi, Pakistan. It is made up of four towers: Tower A, Tower B, Harbour Front, and Executive Tower. At the base of the complex is the Dolmen Mall, ...
is a mixed-use development on the Clifton waterfront File:Dolmen Towers Karachi.jpg, Another view of Dolmen File:Bahria Icon Karachii.jpg, At a height of , Clifton's Bahria Icon Tower is the tallest skyscraper in Pakistan. File:Summit Tower Karachi.jpg, Clifton's beachfront has seen the construction of several skyscrapers begin since 2015. File:Towers in Clifton.jpg, Marina View is located near Boat Basin Food Street. File:HBL Tower.jpg, Teen Talwar is a major intersection in Clifton File:Highrises in Clifton 2.jpg, Highrises in Clifton File:Highrises in Clifton.jpg, Highrises in Clifton File:PK Karachi asv2020-02 img56 Dolmen Mall Clifton.jpg,
Dolmen Mall Dolmen Malls is a chain of shopping centers in Pakistan owned and operated by Dolmen Group. Established in 1984, the Dolmen Group is a real estate company involved in the development and management of commercial and residential properties across P ...
is a popular shopping center with several international outlets File:Ocean Tower 2.jpg, Ocean Tower


Foreign missions

There are also several international consulates and high commission offices based in Clifton such as British Deputy High Commission, The Chinese consulate, The Italian Consulate, The Russian Consulate The Iranian Consulate, Consulate General of Switzerland as well as the Kuwaiti consulate among others.


Educational institutions

* Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture * The Lyceum School * Karachi Grammar School * Convent of Jesus and Mary, Karachi * Karachi Grammar School maintains its Kindergarten, Junior and College sections in Clifton. * SZABIST is located in Clifton. * Head Start School System also operates its biggest branch Clifton Campus in Clifton area.


Visitor attractions

* Bagh-e-Ibne Qasim * Bahria Icon Tower, Pakistan's tallest building * Boat Basin Park * Clifton beach * Clifton Urban Forest * Dolmen Mall Clifton * Jehangir Kothari Parade (1922), along with the Katrak Bandstand and Lady Lloyd Pier. The pier enabled people to walk over the sea, but over the years the sea has retreated. * Mohatta Palace was the last home of sisters
Fatima Jinnah Fatima Jinnah (31 July 18939 July 1967) was a Pakistani politician, stateswoman, author, and Activism, activist. She was the younger sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the List of Pakistan Movement activists, founder and first governor-general of ...
and Shireen Jinnah. It is now a museum. * Sri Ratneswar Mahadev Temple *
Shrine A shrine ( "case or chest for books or papers"; Old French: ''escrin'' "box or case") is a sacred space">-4; we might wonder whether there's a point at which it's appropriate to talk of the beginnings of French, that is, when it wa ...: ''escri ...
of
Abdullah Shah Ghazi Abdullah Shah Ghazi () (c. 720 - c. 773) was a Muslim mystic and Sufi whose shrine is located in Clifton in Karachi, in Sindh province of Pakistan. Life in Sindh Abdullah Shah Ghazi was born in 98 Hijri Or 109 Hijri. In 738 he came to Karac ...
* Teen Talwar * World's second highest water jet fountain lies in the Arabian Sea near the Clifton Coastline File:KatrakBandstand.jpg, Bagh Ibne Qasim, restored in 2017 File:Clifton Beach Karachi.JPG, Camel rides along Clifton Beach are a popular activity File:PK Karachi asv2020-02 img05 Bagh Ibne Qasim.jpg, Jehangir Kothari Parade File:Jahangir Kothari Parade.jpg, Katrak Bandstand at the Jehangir Kothari Parade File:Adnan Asim's Karachi City. 3 Talwar ( Swords ) Clifton, Karachi.jpg, Teen Talwar junction File:The remains of a Hindu Temple,near Jehangir Kothari Parade.JPG, Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple


See also

*
Clifton Beach, Karachi Clifton Beach, also known as Sea View, is a beach in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan and is located on the Arabian Sea. It stretches from Karachi to Ormara ( Balochistan). The beach is very popular in Pakistan. It is open 24/7 for the general public. ...
* Seaview * Clifton Cantonment * Shah Rasool Colony * Chinese community in Pakistan


References


External links


Karachi Website

Hospitals in Clifton


{{Asia Chinatown Chinese diaspora in Pakistan Neighbourhoods of Karachi Chinatowns in Asia